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Healthcare Facilities Insurance Pennsylvania

Healthcare Facilities Insurance Pennsylvania. Healthcare facilities have unique insurance needs, and a business owner's policy is one first line of coverage to meet those needs. However, because of the many inherent risks faced by healthcare facilities and the providers and employees working in them, it is necessary to carry the right level of insurance to meet your facilities needs in order to guard against potential liabilities.

Risks such as slips and falls, contamination, personal data theft, and property damage all loom and are all potential perils that your facility faces each and every day. There are also unique perils that are specific only to the healthcare industry that you should consider when making a healthcare facilities insurance Pennsylvania policy purchase.

Medical clinics provide healthcare services on an outpatient basis. While originally formed to provide low-cost medical services to the poor and destitute and to provide a learning facility for medical students, they now provide the services one could normally obtain in a doctor's office.

Many clinics have become specialized treatment centers that provide a service or group of services in a particular field of medicine such as pediatrics or physical therapy. Other clinics are part of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and provide medical treatment to group participants.

A clinic generally employs licensed primary care doctors who pre-screen patients according to their symptoms, prescribe medication for common ailments, and refer patients in need of more focused medical attention to specialists. Most doctors working in clinics refer patients to a hospital or other medical facility for laboratory tests, surgery, or post-operative care.

Hospitals and infirmaries provide medical treatment to patients on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Medical facilities include patient rooms for in-house treatment and care, medical testing laboratories, pharmacies, surgery or operating rooms, and access to both doctor and nursing care at all times. While some hospitals support all types of medical care, including emergency medical assistance, others limit their services to such specialties as burn treatment, cardiology, intensive care, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, spine treatment, or weight loss.

Many hospitals have cafeterias or restaurants, gift shops, and waiting areas for visitors. Some offer additional services such as counseling, health classes, libraries, religious services, and lodging for guests. A hospital may be funded by charitable or religious organizations, Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurers. Some are teaching hospitals that provide training to medical students while offering lower-cost services to patients. An infirmary is normally not as elaborate as a hospital; however, it does provide the same basic services on a more limited basis.

Healthcare facilities insurance Pennsylvania protects your facility from lawsuits with rates as low as $127/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

How Can A Healthcare Facilities Insurance Pennsylvania Policy Help?

Getting the right level of healthcare facilities insurance Pennsylvania coverage and the appropriate policies in force can help you mitigate the risks that your facility faces on a daily basis. Let's run down some basic coverage types to consider for your healthcare facility:

Property coverage. Everything that your healthcare facility owns, rents, or leases from others, including items such as business equipment, medical equipment, fixtures, furniture, and inventory, should be protected under an extensive property coverage policy. A comprehensive policy might include a bundle of different protections, including electronic data loss, utility service interruption, patient evacuation costs in the event of an emergency, or personal property theft of patients' property.

General liability insurance. This healthcare facilities insurance Pennsylvania covers property damage, accidents related to occurrences in outpatient facilities, and damage to rental property. This type of coverage also protects your business from lawsuits arising due to negligence, slander, libel, personal injury, false advertising, and faulty products.

Management liability insurance. The management in any healthcare facility are often targeted for lawsuits. This includes directors and officers. Management liability insurance can help protect the business against these sorts of suits. It may also include employment practices liability that kicks in in the event that an employee sues your facility based on its hiring or firing practices or for cases of sexual harassment or discrimination.

Coverage for patients' personal effects. If property is stolen from a patient, this coverage protects you from liability.

Decontamination coverage. If your facility is required to clean up pollutants after an event, this this coverage pays for things like testing, removal, cleanup, replacement of affected items and restoration.

Uncontaminated stock policy. If undamaged drugs, medical supplies, devices, or biological items that are undamaged are condemned or forced off the market due to a government action, this policy reimburses you for their value.

Radioactive contamination policy. This type of policy pays for cleaning up radioactive contaminants in the event of a covered event.

Accounts receivable coverage. If a covered event causes destruction to your business' accounts receivable records, then this coverage pays for their recovery and reconstruction.

Off-premises utilities. If utilities are interrupted, then this coverage pays for lost income during a covered event.

Flood insurance. Most property policies do not cover flooding. Purchase a separate flooding policy to ensure that flooding is covered.

Mobile medical coverage. If your facility offers mobile services off site, then this coverage provides protection for the medical equipment used off site.

Commercial auto insurance. Insure all of the facility's vehicles with commercial insurance. Any vehicles used for business purposes should be covered under this type of policy.

Worker's compensation. This often state required coverage pays injured or ill employees for health-related wage loss and medical costs.

Pennsylvania Medical Clinic's And Hospital's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure for medical clinics is moderate due to patients' access to the premises. To prevent trips, slips, and falls, all areas accessible to patients must be well maintained with floor covering in good condition. The number of exits must be sufficient, and be well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure. Steps should have handrails, be illuminated, marked, and in good repair. Parking lots should be maintained free of ice and snow. Housekeeping should be excellent and spills must be cleaned up promptly.

If surgery is performed, the area must be kept sterile at all times and carefully controlled. The patients' area must be designed for patients who are physically impaired following surgery. Escort procedures must be clear for all personnel. Maintaining a patient's privacy is critical. Examination rooms, check-in and checkout stations must be in private areas so one patient cannot view information or overhear conversations regarding another patient's' confidential information.

Premises liability exposure for hospitals is high due to a large number of visitors to the premises and the impaired physical mobility of patients. Public and life safety code compliance is very important. Excellent housekeeping is required to reduce the number of trips, slips, and falls. Spills must be cleaned up promptly. Hallways, rooms, and recreational areas must be orderly and well maintained. Stairways, elevators, railings, and floor coverings should be in good condition. Exits should be clearly marked and free of obstacles. Adequate interior and exterior lighting should be available in the event of a power outage. Steps must have rails, be illuminated, marked, and in good maintenance and repair.

There should be a temperature-monitoring device in all bathing and showering areas to prevent scalding. Parking lots should be maintained free of ice and snow. A major concern in the area of patient safety is the type of backup facilities available for power outages and loss of normal utilities. Emergency generators should be in place, checked and maintained periodically. Security at the facility, as well as in the building, corridors, and any owned parking area needs to be carefully checked and reviewed because the facility may be held liable should a patient or visitor be attacked on the premises. Should an emergency situation arise, there should be evacuation plans in place to quickly move patients to a safe area.

Personal injury exposures include discrimination, invasion of privacy, and wrongful eviction. Maintaining a patient's privacy is critical. Examination rooms, check-in and checkout stations must be in private areas so one patient cannot view information or overhear conversations regarding another patient's confidential information. Inappropriate touching and sexual misconduct must be considered.

Background checks should be conducted before hiring any employee. The hospital should be accredited and operate within the guidelines of that accreditation. If it is on probation, there should be active plans to comply with open recommendations to be taken off probationary status.

Professional liability exposure for medical clinics is extensive as most clinics serve patients either who have no regular physician or whose regular physician is unavailable. Decisions are made based on limited background information with verification of medical history generally unavailable. The exposure increases if the provider fails to conduct thorough background checks to verify employees' credentials, education, and licensing. Staff turnover is high in clinics, disrupting continuity in patient care.

Records must be well-documented and prior data obtained as much as possible. The prescreening questionnaire is vital. Very serious losses may result from failure to secure patient approval before performing procedures, including vaccinations. Training and safety equipment should be in place to prevent exposure to radiation when performing X-rays. Needles and other equipment must be sterilized and sanitized to prevent the spread of blood-borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS.

On-site surgery must be closely monitored, with an experienced trained individual administering and monitoring the use of the anesthetic. Finally, inappropriate touching and sexual misconduct must be considered.

Professional, medical malpractice, and directors and officers exposures for hospitals are very high. Staff turnover is high, disrupting continuity in patient care. The exposure increases if the facility fails to conduct thorough background checks to verify employees' credentials, education, and licensing. Hospitals should be subject to regular inspections by their accreditation organization. It should also be licensed and staffed based on federal and state requirements.

The staff/patient ratio should be sufficient to provide adequate care for patients. Supervision is essential along with regular training, monitoring, and well-written and followed procedures. Patients must be informed as to their rights to obtain or refuse medical care as described by state and federal law. Very serious losses may result from failure to secure patient approval before performing procedures. Access to patients' records must be restricted to those having a legitimate reason for viewing them. Medical records must be duplicated and stored off-site.

Both on-site and off-site records must be safeguarded to protect patients' right to privacy. Patient plans should be in place and followed by all staff members. Only patients who are within the appropriate level of care within the hospital's license should be admitted and allowed to remain in the facility. Needles and other equipment must be sterilized and sanitized to prevent the spread of blood-borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and AIDS. There should be a formal review process in place for reviewing all incidents that may give rise to a claim of medical malpractice.

The hospital environment can lend itself to the spread of diseases like MRSA if not handled immediately. Access to all pharmaceuticals must be carefully controlled, with procedures in place for the proper dispensation to patients. Finally, inappropriate touching and sexual misconduct must be considered.

Environmental impairment exposure for hospitals is significant due to the potential for contaminating the air, ground, or water supply by improperly disposing of medical waste, including contaminants such as hepatitis B or the AIDS virus. Disposal must be documented and meet all FDA and EPA standards.

Workers compensation exposure for medical clinics is due to the possible transmission of disease from a patient. Gloves and masks must be worn at all times when working around any bodily fluids. Unruly or unpredictable patients can cause harm including strains, back injuries, and contusions. Employees should have access to vaccinations to prevent diseases.

Training and safety equipment should be in place to prevent exposure to radiation when performing X-rays. Because patient information and billings are done on computers, potential injuries include eyestrain, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar cumulative trauma injuries that can be addressed through ergonomically designed workstations. Workers who travel off site may encounter difficult circumstances, especially when going into patients' residences. Procedures should be in place to monitor the off-site exposure and provide for emergency backup.

Workers compensation exposure for hospitals comes from contact with patients, from infections, and from communicable diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, AIDS, or MRSA. Employees should have access to vaccinations to prevent diseases. Gloves and masks should be worn at all times when working around any bodily fluids. All CDC recommended procedures for handling bodily fluids must be followed. Constant cleansing with disinfectants can result in the lung, eye, or skin irritations and reactions.

Accidental piercings from needles and cuts from scalpels are common. X-ray technicians should wear leaded aprons to limit exposure to harmful radiation. Back injuries, sprains, and strains can occur when assisting or lifting patients. Procedures should be in place for safely handling unruly or violent patients to minimize injury to both the patient and the employees. Slips and falls can occur from tripping over objects or slick floors. Kitchen work includes the possibility of cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Because patient information and billings are done on computers, potential injuries include eyestrain, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar cumulative trauma injuries that can be addressed through ergonomically designed workstations.

Property exposure for medical clinics is high due to the use of expensive diagnostic and medical equipment. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems, and overheating of equipment. All electrical wiring must be up to code and equipment properly maintained. Excellent housekeeping is required and smoking should be prohibited. A small fire, which produces smoke, can cause considerable damage when sterile equipment and environments are compromised.

If pharmaceuticals are kept on premises, theft is a concern. These items should be inaccessible for unauthorized use and stored in a protected area after hours. Most property items are better covered on inland marine forms such as a computer form or the physicians and surgeons floater. The business income and extra expense exposure can be minimized if the clinic has arranged for temporary facilities with another clinic.

Property exposures for hospitals are extensive. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems, diagnostic and treatment equipment, laundry equipment, and cooking appliances. All electrical wiring must be up to code and equipment properly maintained.

Licensing and certification ensure that housekeeping is excellent and that controls are in place for patient safety. Smoking is not permitted in hospitals and that ban must be enforced. There should be smoke detectors installed in all patient rooms and common areas. Oxygen and other surgical gases in use around the hospital are flammable and must be controlled. Even a small fire can cause extensive damage due to the requirement of a sterile environment. All kitchen grills and deep fat fryers must have fire extinguishing protection, hoods, and filters.

There should be automatic fuel shut off valves and adequate hand-held fire extinguishers. Theft is a major concern because of the large quantities of drugs stored on premises. Tight controls must be in place including, but not limited to, inventory control and limited access to the drug room. Business income and extra expense losses can be severe due to the cost of diagnostic equipment, the time it may take to repair or replace a damaged item, and the unavailability of backup facilities.

Equipment breakdown exposures for hospitals and clinics are high as operations are dependent on medical equipment being available. All equipment should be maintained on an ongoing basis.

Crime exposure for medical clinics comes from employee dishonesty of both money and inventory, particularly relating to drugs on premises. The potential for theft, directly or by means of identity theft, is great. Background checks should be conducted on all employees with access to drugs or money. Since drugs are tempting and susceptible to theft, employee access must be restricted and carefully monitored.

Ordering, billing and disbursement transactions should be handled as separate duties. Inventories and audits should be performed regularly. Money and securities are a concern if payments are accepted on premises. Deposits should be made regularly and money should not be kept on premises overnight.

Crime exposure for hospitals come from both employee dishonesty and money and securities. The potential for theft, directly or by means of identity theft, is great. Pre-employment checks, including criminal background checks, should be required for any employee with access to drugs or money. Inventory must be reviewed regularly and the drug areas must have limited access.

Regular monitoring with cameras can be helpful in deterring employee theft and monitoring patient treatment. All ordering, billing, and disbursements must be handled as separate duties. Regular inventories and audits must be conducted. Money and securities can be a concern if payments are accepted on premises. Deposits should be made regularly and no money kept on premises overnight. Patients' property may be stolen by employees.

Inland marine exposures for medical clinics include accounts receivable if the clinic bills for services, computers, physicians and surgeons equipment floater (which can include all office furnishings), and valuable papers and records for patients' and suppliers' information. Computers are used for patients' records and other office purposes, but most medical equipment, such as video equipment and X-ray machines, is also computerized.

Physicians and surgeons equipment includes items that doctors may take off site to handle emergencies. A medical clinic will generally include sophisticated computer and medical equipment, especially if it specializes in a particular medical field. Duplicates should be made of all records and stored off site.

Inland marine exposure for hospitals come from accounts receivable for billings, computers, medical equipment, and valuable papers and records for employees', patients' and vendors' information. Most medical equipment is now run by computers and should be covered on a computer form. Some medical equipment may be shared with other facilities or be kept in mobile care units, requiring separate coverage as it is transported between locations.

Equipment being transported must be adequately secured to prevent movement during transit. All records should be duplicated and a copy kept off premises. There may be a bailees exposure if the hospital takes custody of the goods of others, such as laundry. Some hospitals may have extensive fine arts and statuary that should be covered under a fine arts form.

Business auto exposure for medical clinics is generally limited to hired and non-owned liability for employees running errands. If there are owned vehicles, all drivers should be licensed with acceptable MVRs. Vehicle maintenance should be ongoing and documented in a central location.

Commercial auto exposure for hospitals is high because of the use of emergency vehicles and transportation of patients, officials, guests, and visitors because some may have an existing injury or have limited mobility. If there are owned vehicles, all drivers should be licensed with acceptable MVRs. Vehicle maintenance should be ongoing and documented in a central location. Ambulance drivers must be trained to notice surroundings, particularly when going through congested traffic and intersections. If the ambulance service is contracted out, the hospital should require certificates of insurance from each provider.

More Healthcare Facility Insurance Pennsylvania Information

While these are some basic policy types to consider when you run a healthcare facility, there are other riders and add-on policies that may be needed based on your facility's individual risks. Work with an agent to determine the different coverage types that may be necessary for the total protection of your business. A seasoned agent can help you determine factors that should go into any insurance purchase, including the policy limits you should choose, how much insurance is enough for your situation, and how to save on the insurance you need.

In addition, think about reviewing your current healthcare facilities insurance Pennsylvania coverage with your agent to make sure that the coverage you have is sufficient. In many cases, some of the policies you own may be outdated and need to be reviewed to ensure that the insurance you have no meets your current needs. As a bonus, your agent can work with you to get separate quotes from multiple insurers, making sure you get the biggest bang for your facility's insurance budget, improving your facility's overall bottom line while keeping your insurance needs in the forefront and fully covered.

While you might have a fantastic idea for a business, if you aren't setting up shop in the right PA location, there's a good chance that you won't see the success that you hope to achieve. With that said, it's important that you have an understanding of the economic status of the state that you are thinking about doing business in. It's also important for you to know what type of rules and regulations regarding insurance are in place in that state.

If you are thinking about doing business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, keep on reading to find out some valuable information that you can use to make the best choices for your operation.

Pennsylvania's Economy Now And Into The Future

In terms of the economy, Pennsylvania's future looks pretty bright. It boasts the sixth largest economy in the United States. It is also home to some of the largest private and public organizations in the nation, as per sales.

The job market is expected to see steady growth in Pennsylvania during the 2019 calendar year. That rate is expected to be 1 percent, which is a marked increase from previous years. This is largely due to the high pool of educated laborers that reside in the state. Currently the unemployment rate is 4.9 percent, which is on-par with the rest of the nation. It is believed that the unemployment rate will continue to drop as more jobs are added.

For business owners, there are several industries that will afford success. The food products industry, particularly related to agriculture, contributes largely to the state's economy. This is expected to continue moving forward throughout the 2019 calendar year. Other industries that are forecasted to see growth include:

Education

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Mining

Printing & Publishing

If you are thinking about doing business in PA, working in one of these industries will likely afford you success.

Insurance Requirements For Businesses In Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates insurance in PA. Business owners are legally required to carry workers compensation insurance. This type of coverage is a must for any business that employs any W2 part-time or full-time employees, and for employees that are either hourly or salaried. You must also carry PA commercial auto insurance if you plan on using a vehicle to conduct anything related to your business.

While commercial liability insurance is not required in Pennsylvania, it is still a wise idea to invest in. This type of coverage will protect you from the cost of any lawsuits that could potentially arise.

Additional Resources For Medical Insurance

Discover small business insurance for medical and dental professionals. Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability that protects health care professionals from liability causing in bodily injury, medical expenses and property damage.

Professional liability offers protection against claims of malpractice for all sums that the medical professional becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of rendering or failing to render professional services.

The coverage provided is often called medical malpractice. For decades, many involved in the health care field and insurance companies that provide insurance coverage to providers have stated that malpractice lawsuits have created an ongoing crisis of restricting insurance availability, due to loss of insurance companies that write the coverage and significant rate increases.

As a result, state legislatures have taken the following actions to address the situation:

Imposed a dollar limitation of liability for malpractice suits.

Modified statutes of limitation to limit the number of years that a suit may be brought against a physician following a negligent act.

Modified when the statute of limitations takes effect. An example is beginning from a negligent act's occurrence rather than from its discovery.

Passed laws to modify tort law procedures and doctrines that relate to malpractice.

Because of differences in law by state it is important to know the states in which the covered health care providers are licensed and regularly practice. Some health care providers may practice in multiple states because of their particular specialty, their reputation or the demand for their services. Some hospitals may have ownership in facilities or provide services to patients that are outside of their main location state.